| Name of institution |
Christ Church Anglican Church |
| Type of institution |
Church |
| Street Address |
Queenslea Drive |
| City |
Claremont |
| State |
Western Australia |
| Postcode |
|
| Country |
Australia |
| Name of building |
Christ Church Anglican Church |
| Name of room |
Church
|
| Dates of the building |
1893
|
| Architect’s and builder’s names |
J Talbot Hobbs and T W L Powell |
| Special architectural features |
The style and architecture of the church which may be described as
"Victorian Gothic Revival" echoes architectural components often found
in English medieval parish churches. |
| Special fittings |
Shingled roof - last replaced in 1999.
The twelve "Corinthian" style iron columns (representing the twelve
apostles) were cast in the Perth foundry of Wright and Gibb.
The pulpit and eagle lectern were made in 1902, by Perth woodcarver, William Howitt.
The pipe organ originally built in 1926 was extended and modified in
1967 and the console was moved to its present location during a major
renovation in 1994.
The large square altar was carved by Michael Chaney and consecrated by Archbishop Peter Carnley in 1997.
Icons written by Marice Sariola include: The Great Crucifix which
reveals St John the Evangelist's view of Christ's death, Our Lady of
Tenderness and Christ Pantocrator.
Spaces of interest include: the Oratory (formerly the Vestry), the
Beryl Cook meeting room (formerly the Choir Vestry), the Bell-ringing
room (Catherine Hope Room) also used by parents of young children
during services and Baptisms.
The beautiful windows reflect a range of aesthetic, religious and commemorative interests. |
| Other location information |
After
some years of Anglican worship in the schoolroom close to the banks of
the Swan River (now Claremont Museum), the foundation stone of the
present building was laid on 10 September 1892. Built of
locally-quarried Cottesloe limestone, Christ Church is one of the
oldest suburban parish churches in Perth.
The original part of the church, which extended from the position of
the old high altar, westwards, approximately to the steps between the
chancel and the nave, was designed by architect J Talbot Hobbs, and
consecrated by the second Bishop of Perth, Harry Hutton Parry on 11th
April 1893. It was built at a cost of £800. The nearby Rectory
followed in 1897. Extensions to the church were built in 1901 and 1909,
planned and supervised by distinguished architect T W L Powell. The
tower was completed in 1938.
In October 1968, a large part of Western Australia was shaken by an
earthquake that had its epicentre at Meckering in the Wheatbelt, about
150km inland from Perth, and some damage was done to the fabric of the
church. The original stone had also deteriorated and extensive
restoration of the foundations, walls and roof of the church was
necessary. These restorations, which cost $100,000 were dedicated by
Bishop Michael Challen in March 1981.
The year 1988, the Bicentenary of European settlement of Australia, was
marked by the installation of a peal of six bells. These came
originally from the church of St Paul's, Canonbury, London and were
donated by Mr Laith Reynolds Vice-president of the Australian and New
Zealand Association of Bell-ringers, in memory of his brother. The
largest bell weighs 390kg, and so the tower needed to be strengthened
with a steel frame when the bells were installed.
The building is entered by the Australian Heritage Commission on the
register of the National Estate, and is also listed by the National
Trust of Western Australia. In 2004 a full-scale Conservation Report
was prepared by Considine and Griffiths Architects to guide the
conservation and future use of Christ Church and Rectory for the
protection of cultural and heritage values. |
| Name of contact |
|
| Mailing Address |
|
| Telephone |
|
| Email |
|
| Other contact information |
|
| . |
|
| Date of previous organs |
|
| Detail of previous organs |
W. L. Roberts Ltd., Adelaide, Opus 109, built in 1929 |
| Dates when key work has been undertaken |
Originally tubular-pneumatic action.
Alterations by Cousans Ltd 1933.
Rebuilt and electrified 1967 with addtions by J.E. Dodd & Sons Gunstar Organ Works, Adelaide (Swell reed unit).
New
Great pipework 1968-1972 F.J. Larner & Co. 2m., 22 sp.st., 6c, elpn.
Gt: 8.8.4.2.1-1/3.III. Sw: 8.8.8.4.III.8.16.8.4. Ped:
16.16.16.8.8.16.8. |
| Dates of any moves that have taken place |
|
| Variations from original design of organ |
|
| Information on previous organs |
|
| Information about comparable instruments to previous
organs |
|
| . |
|
| Present organ |
|
| Type of installation |
Left Chancel chamber |
| Case description |
Plain facade pipes |
| Placement in room |
Front left of sanctuary |
| Builder's name |
Bellsham Pipe Organs |
| Opus number |
|
| Date of completion/installation |
1992
|
| Construction materials |
|
| Number of manuals |
Three (3)
|
| Key compasses |
|
| Number of keys |
|
| Key material |
|
| Pedal compass |
|
| Number of pedals |
|
| Pedalboard type |
|
| Pedalboard material |
|
| Type of chests |
|
| Type of key action |
Electro-pneumatic |
| Type of stop action |
Electro-pneumatic |
| Couplers |
6
|
| Tremulants |
|
| Accessories |
|
| Console type |
Detached, drawstops on 45 degree jambs |
| Stop label material |
|
| Placement |
In the Chancel choir stalls, opposite the organ |
| General design |
|
| Playing aids |
|
| Divisions |
Great, Swell, Choir, Pedal
|
| Wind pressures |
|
| Stop list |
| GREAT |
|
|
|
|
16' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
2 2/3' |
|
|
|
2' |
|
|
|
III |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SWELL |
|
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
2' |
|
|
|
III |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
16' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CHOIR |
|
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
2' |
|
|
|
III |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PEDAL |
|
|
|
|
16' |
|
|
|
16' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
8' |
|
|
|
5 1/3' |
|
|
|
4' |
|
|
|
16' |
|
|
|
16' |
|
|
|
| Total number of stops |
36
|
| Total number of ranks |
|
| Total number of pipes |
1,700 |
| Dates when key work has been undertaken on current
organ |
Rebuilt and enlarged 1992 Bellsham Pipe Organs - not completed.
Overhauled and completed 1994 F.J. Larner & Co |
| Dates of any moves that have taken place to current
organ |
|
| Information on current organ |
A
look at the history of the organ reveals what the earliest instruments
were is unclear, however it appears that a large American reed organ
was purchased in 1905.
In 1926 the long awaited pipe organ was installed. This instrument was
built by W.L.Roberts of Adelaide & Melbourne and consisted of 2
manuals and 15 speaking stops. The action was tubular pneumatic and a
detached drawstop console. Tonally, with many stops in unison and lower
some of the quieter stops were condidered superior at the time. Eight
of these stops remain and form the nucleus of the present instrument.
It seems the pneumatic actions proved unreliable (because mice liked
the skins used on the key pneumatics!) and circa 1933 the firm of
Cousans Ltd, Engineers (probably in consultation with Joe Dean)
installed electric primary actions. After 35 years these were worn out
and J.E. Dodd and Sons, Gunstan Organ Works of Adelaide overhauled the
organ with the provision of a new console, under actions and 2 new
stops, Trumpet and Mixture III ranks.
The completion of this work coincided with a renewed interest in organ
and choir music of the earlier times and also with new compositions.
The organ, tonally fell short of meeting the requirements and therefore
a new range of stops was added to give it life and brightness. This
work was carried out in 1968 by F.J. Larner & Co.
The bulk of the pair of organ cases posed a difficulty in maintaining
the asthestic beauty of the chancel area. The decision to rebuild and
relocate the organ with the addition of a 3rd manual was made in 1991 a
contract was signed with Bellsham Pipe Organs. Sadly, the project
did not eventuate for the celebration of the centenary of the
consecration of Christ Church at Easter 1993. In January 1994 F.J.
Larner & Co. dismantled the organ for rebuilding and 2 of the 3
manuals were completed in 1994. |
| Comparable instruments to current
organ |
|
| Current status |
|
| Assessment of organ |
The completed organ with 3 manuals, 37 speaking stops and 1,700 pipes
is designed to fully meet the musical requirements of Christ Church
Claremont and as such is capable of realizing the organ literature. The
tonal scheme is not slavish to any particual school, but consistent
voicing based on W.L. Roberts musical ideals, ensures that it has a
character of it own. |
| Other organs by this builder |
|
| Photographs |
Photograph of the church from the church web site.
Photographs of the organ by Bruce Duncan |
| Technical documents |
|
| General documents |
|
| . |
|
| Supporting information |
History of the church from the church web site.
History of the organ from Pipe Organs WA Pty Ltd. |
| . |
|
| Document control |
Original entries J R Elms, OAM, Gazetteer of Western Australian Pipe Organs, 1971, 1999,2003 and 2004.
This entry D B Duncan 25 November 2008. |
